Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-03-24

two branches Of the General Assembly
held conference in the Hall of the
House Of Delegates last night. They
met at s o'clock and were in session
three and quarter hours. Mr.. Echols,
of Stanton, was chosen as presiding
officer, bnt during the evening he called
MIR. Cardyell to the chair, and Senator
Lovenstein, of Richmond, acted as se-
cretary. The attendance was very
large.
SECRECY.
The first thing done upon assembling
was to adopt resolution binding each
member present to secrecy, and last
night right we'll was the obligation kept.
As member after member emerged from
the hall they we're approached by repre-
sentatives Of the press, who were in
waiting in the rotunda of the Capitol,
but oil alike said: Il cannot tell yo1
ANYTHING that has been done"
During the session of the conference,
as members came out, and after the
adjournment numerous ones were ap-
preached by Dispatch reporter and
questioned as to what action had been
taken on the debt question. There
was remarkable reticence, and but hi
tie could be learned.
THE DEBT QUESTION.
st 1890 o'clock one of the members
said that the whole time had been con-
sumed discussing the various matters
bearing on the debt question that no
other subjects had been considered, and
that vote on this one would not be
reached last night. II leaked out from
other sources that the greater portion Of
the time was consumedin the discussion
of this vexed problem and the various
measures heretofore offered in connec-
tion with it, and that the discussion took
a wide range.
A resolution was introduced pledging
every member of the caucus to support
Whatever debt measure the caucus
should resolve upon but such opposi-
ton was raised TO it that the mover
withdrew it. 1t is possible, but not
probable, that it may be again intro
duced, but not, in any event, until SEN
timentis more emphatically crystallized
on the amendment.
GROWING II POPULARITY.
From all that could be gathered the
proposition for constitutional amend
ment is growing in favor, and has the
preference over all other proposed
| ieCislation on this subiect
NOMINATIONS.
A resolution was adopted last night
providing for the nomination at the
conference next Wednesday night, to
which time an adjournment was had,
Of railroad commissioner and three
county Judges to ill vacancies. The
term of Mr.. II. G.. Moffett, the present
railroad commissioner, expires the LIST
of April.
RAILROAD COMMISSIONER.
On Monday a resolution introduced
in the House by Mr.. Tillar was adopt
ed, instructing the Committee on Road'
and Internal Navigation to investigate
the management Of the Railroad Com
missioner's office, and to report whether
there has been any partiality shown be
tween the different railways of tho
State by the Commissioner, and whethel
or not he has unjustly pursued the At
antic and Danville Railroad Company
and whether or not said Office has beeI
of sufficient benefit to warrant its con
tinuance as at present managed, &c.
This committee has as yet made NJ
report. The discussion in caucus las
night over the nomination of a com
missioner and the contents of this resO
luton was quite warm, and was indulge
in by some with no little degree o
feeling.
RoTUNDA VIEWS.
J There is now no reason to doubt tina
the constitutional amendment will pas
the House.
That seems to be conceded.
Its friends claim that it will g
through the Senate, too; but that i
not so certain.
Mr.. Koiner, Mr.. Mccormick, anC
other Democrats there are pronounced
against it. General Wickham is als'
opposed to it, and it is said that tn
Republican members of the body vii
stand by him. II so the amendment
if it gets through there at all, will maxi
a close shave. 1t is, however, admitted
that the pressure from the country i
strongly in favor of the amendment.
Mr.. Rhca, the father of the amend
ment, strenuously opposes the propo
sition to exclude the unfunded interes
from the amendment but if, as he de
sires, the amendment is made O part.
measure he will have to submit to thu
decision of the conference.
The conference, if it acts at all, vii
decide against including the interest
The lawyers think that to put tina
in will kill the whole thing by givinI
it over instantly upon adoption to tn
United States courts.
TIE REPUBLICANS.
1t is a matter OF query and conieC
ture as to what the Republicans meal
10 do about the amendment but it
safe to say that they will oppose what
| ever the Democrats favor.
There is belief, however, that
the Democrats commit themselves t
the amendment Malone will go to tn
bondholders and secure from ther
some proposition which may, in r.
mote contingency, be adopted by tn
people. :,
! The Republican members have had
{ caucus, but they only agreed to "wa
| | and watch" 1t is not believed her
= that Malone has communicated wit
D them on this subject at all he is NJ
yet ready to do so.
t To pass the amendment and refer
to the next Legislature requlres5l vot'
in the House and 2l in the Senate.
|